Welcome to the First Church newsletter. Please notice that just about everything is "clickable"! In other words, click an image, a logo, or a button to find out more details! | |
|
Exodus 34 describes an important encounter between God and Moses. It was a covenant renegotiation meeting which resulted in ten specified terms etched upon two stone tablets. According to the writer: “[Moses] was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.” You’re familiar with the story, yes?
A lesser-known detail (same chapter) is that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai, the skin of his face was beaming because he had been talking with God. The transformation was so obvious that the Israelites were afraid to come near him. So, Moses covered his face with a veil. But, he would remove it whenever he communicated with God.
Sunday’s sermon is about being unveiled and reflecting the power of God and shining out loud for others to see. It’s entitled On Again Off Again.
Be blessed. Be a blessing.
Rev. Fredd
| |
|
Altar Flowers
Our Altar Flowers this week are donated by Pam Hastings, Linda Hastings Rosania, and family in loving memory of Richard and Lorain Hastings, Richard Hastings III, Mr. and Mrs. R Cleveland Hastings, Marcia Hastings Peck, and Charles and Lucy Jaworski.
| |
|
Notice is hereby given that a Congregational Meeting of the First Church of Christ Congregational of West Hartford, Connecticut, UCC, will be held in the Meetinghouse on Sunday, March 9, 2025, starting at approximately 11:15 AM.
This meeting is called to transact the following items of business:
To consider and vote on the minutes of the Annual Meeting of First Church held
on March 10, 2024.
To consider and vote on the proposed slate of Officers, Team Leaders and Team Members for First Church for the coming year.
In accordance with the By-laws of First Church, action will be taken only on matters included in the Call to Meeting.
Notice given on February 23, 2025
Linda Bronstein, Secretary
| |
|
Shrove Tuesday Pancake lunch on Sunday MARCH 2
Join the Inreach Team and Faith Formation following worship in the auditorium for pancakes, sausage, fruit and beverages.
Plan on wearing your wackiest outfits, put on your beaded necklaces, eat pancakes and goof off with us as we get ready for the beginning of Lent.
| |
Open Chapel
The Spirit Team is pleased to once again offer Open Chapel during Lent. This is an opportunity to rest and quietly reflect in the sacred space of the First Church Chapel. You are welcome to drop by for any part of the hour. We hope that you will find peace.
Wednesday, March 12, 12-1 pm
Wednesday, March 19, 5-6 pm
Wednesday, March 26, 12-1 pm
Sunday, April 6, 5-6 pm
Friday, April 18, 12-1 pm
| |
Coming up next week…
we are rescheduling
the Hot Cat Jazz Band for our service next Sunday!
| |
|
Sunday School Registration
Sunday School is underway at First Church and all children are welcome to attend!
Parents of children (infants through 8th grade) can register online for childcare or Sunday School by clicking HERE.
If you have any questions, please reach out to
Amanda Bethune faith.formation@whfirstchurch.org
| |
Coffee and Conversation!
Join Rev Fredd and friends at Nero Kitchen at 13 South Main Street in West Hartford Center on Wednesdays at 10am for coffee and conversation!
| |
Yoga in the Chapel
Wednesdays from 9:30-10:45 a.m. in the First Church Chapel
Join Cynthia Wolcott for drop-in, in-person Yoga. Bring a mat and a blanket (Cynthia has extras you may borrow). Attend as you wish; payment is accepted at the start of each class: $20 per class - cash, Venmo, or check to Cynthia Wolcott. Contact Cynthia at cjwolcott@gmail.com.
| |
Chamber Music Concert
on Sunday, March 16 at 3pm
in the Chapel
The Chamber Music Series is in its’ second season at First Church, designed to bring great music performances to an audience in an intimate setting.
The concert is free to the public. A Free Will Offering will be collected by the door.
| |
|
Women’s Retreat:
The Spiritual Practice
of Self-Care
Led by Janice Olson, Yogi and Spiritual Guide
The Guest House Retreat Center, Chester CT, 3 p.m. Friday, May 2 – 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3
Self care is a popular topic these days -- but what is it? More than just "me" time or a day at the spa, true self care involves a mindset of self-compassion and acceptance of imperfection in ourselves and others. Join Janice for an exploration of what self-care means to you and how you might incorporate small changes that will bring more joy and fulfilment into your life. Our time together will include self-reflection and journaling, guided group discussion, prayer and meditation, yoga for relaxation, and a creative activity. There will also be time for rest and relaxation on your own.
The cost: $100 -- includes overnight accommodation, meals, and materials. A list of what to bring will be sent via email prior to the retreat. Don’t miss this special opportunity because of a lack of funds – there are scholarship monies available! In the meantime, contact Jennifer deSimas or Janice Olson if you have any questions. Space is limited
Register here by April 13: The Spiritual Practice of Self Care
| |
Faithful Fitness Classes
-
Qi Gong with Cynthia Hoag - Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel. Register here.
-
FitMix with Kathi Boratko - Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. Click here for class information and registration.
| |
|
Harvest Meal Packing Event 2025
Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Snow date March 15) Join your friends and neighbors to pack meals to be sent to those in need. It is an incredible way to generate positive energy, foster pride in working together for the benefit of others and have fun! Come by yourself or with a friend and join a team to pack meals for a few hours. We’ll feed you a pizza lunch for all your hard work. Recommended donation is $10 per family.
Use Cash or Venmo for your donation! View Flyer here.
| |
|
Live-Streamed Worship in the Church Library!
First Church’s worship services are live streamed every Sunday in our bright, comfortable John P. Webster Library. Come watch while your toddler plays in our children’s area or if you need a separate place to worship for any other reason. The JPW Library is also open Monday -Thursday from 9 - 5. Everyone is welcome -- church membership is not required! Come in and find your next read!
| |
|
|
|
Lenten Book Study
Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. (hybrid)
March 11, 18, 25
April 1, 8, 15
Join JPW Library Director Jennifer deSimas Tuesday evenings in March and April. Using short videos and readings from Dr. Amy-Jill Levine’s 2021 book, Witness at the Cross: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Friday, we will explore the events of Holy Friday. “Levine reminds us that the story of Jesus’s death is something we do not just read; we are meant to experience it. Here, she takes us by the hand and walks with us through the story, pausing alongside each of the characters to see and hear and feel how they individually experienced it, how each was affected by it. This is not just a fresh retelling of the Crucifixion narrative; it is a remarkably personal immersion and participation in the narrative. Levine breaks open new dimensions and possibilities of the story’s meaning for all of us” (review). Free program; please register here.
| | | |
|
Lenten Devotionals are here!
"Into the Deep," the Still Speaking Writers’ 2025 Lent Devotional, invites reflection on God's mysterious depths.
"God inhabits the depths of life, love, loss, ecstasy, and pain, God dwells in the profundities of prayer, in sighs too deep for words. God loves the deep" (Mary Luti). What courage, what faith, what reckoning, what wonder might find us as we go deep into God's depths this Lent?
Lent starts this Wednesday…Pick up your copy of “Into the Deep” at both meeting house entrances.
| |
|
Lenten Wednesdays with Laurie
Wednesdays at 6 p.m. beginning March 12th through March 9th
Fellowship Room (Rm. 303)
With Rev. Laurie Andersen, curator and facilitator
During the sacred season of Lent, we’ll gather midweek to set aside our worldly worries and let the liturgical rhythms guide us in the Way of the Cross. Rev. Laurie Andersen invites you into a quiet prayerful space where you can share or just listen and receive (light refreshments served). Come and see where the Spirit takes us.
| |
|
Book Group News
The church’s John P. Webster Library coordinates and sponsors three book groups that meet regularly in the library. Copies of the books are provided for participants.
New members are always welcome to either group!
For more information, please contact Jennifer or Molly at 860-232-3893 or at jpwlibrary@whfirstchurch.org.
| |
|
Book Group News:
The John P. Webster Library coordinates and sponsors three book groups that meet regularly in the library. Copies of the books are provided for participants. New members are always welcome to either group! For more information, please contact Jennifer or Molly at 860-232-3893 or at jpwlibrary@whfirstchurch.org
• Awakening the Spirit- Meets Mondays from 12-1:30
• Food for Thought Meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 5-6:30 p.m
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 4
• Believe in YourSHELF Tween Book Group
Next meeting: Sunday 3/16
| |
|
New Art Exhibit: Don Bonner, American Artist
JPWL Gallery
March 2 – April
Don Bonner grew up inspired by the picturesque surroundings in Western Massachusetts and he now lives in central Connecticut. He attended the Paier School of Art outside New Haven. Don is passionate about telling a story on canvas, and creating it with color, lighting, and emotion. His studio is in Avon, Connecticut. GICLEE prints available in a variety of sizes and prices. To see more artwork and for information, purchase, etc. contact Don at bonnerco@comcast.net. He is also on FaceBook and Instagram.
Below the Horse Barn
| |
|
Light The Steeple in honor of a Loved One
For a $25 donation, you are invited to "Light the Steeple" for one week in honor of a loved one. We ask that you pick a date at least one week in advance of the desired week, and all donors will be acknowledged in our weekly Happenings. Please note more than one donor can fall on any given week. Donations will be added to the Save the Steeple fund. Click "Light The Steeple for a loved one" found on the “Save the First Church Steeple” web page or click here.
| |
|
West Hartford Food Pantry
Please drop off donations in the marked blue bins outside the auditorium and around the building. Specific needs include: baked beans, canned fruit/applesauce, pasta & sauce, cold cereal, canned chicken & tuna, 1 lb. packages of rice, 16-18 oz sized peanut butter, soup, macaroni & cheese.
| |
|
Taking Photos in Church and Sharing Policy
Taking photos and documenting life events is commonplace now and more and more common in church settings. Lots of members are asking about taking photos at church events and wondering how to share them and to avoid confusion, we came up with some guidelines. Most important: be sure phone is in silent mode and skip solo selfies when tagging church events! Laminated copies of guidelines are at each entrance to the Sanctuary and at auditorium entrance, or view policy here or go to website>Photo Gallery page. Thank you, Amy and Joy.
| |
Please use the links below to find us all over the internet, and you can also email the office by clicking the envelope. | |
|
The church office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main number is 860-233-9605 | Email: Office.Manager@whfirstchurch.org
Copyright © 2024 First Church West Hartford, All rights reserved.
| | | | |
